Being Indian, How I Got Schengen Visa In 3 Days From German Embassy In Los Angeles

• Purpose: Schengen Visa with multiple entries
• Date of Interview: 14 Dec 2016, 1:30 PM
• Interview location: Consulate General of Germany, 6222 Wilshire Blvd #500, Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Passport received with visa: 17 Dec 2017, 10 AM

First thing which I did, I booked an appointment on 21 Nov to Consulate General of Germany on their website. The flight with free cancellation was costing me $1200 minimum. And, the flight (non-refundable) was costing me $650 for round-trip. It was so cheap but I had risk too. I thought for a while then booked it. Then, I bought travel insurance. I booked hotels (free cancellation) as per my itinerary.

Next day, I filled the form on German Consulate's website. I received acknowledgement on my email.

Important link: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Tourist__Visa.html

I took a day-off from office on 14 Dec. I bought a round trip train ticket b/w Tustin and LA Union Station. It cost me $20. My friend dropped me at Tustin Metrolink train station. I caught the train #687 at 9 a.m. I reached to LA Union Station in 1 hour. From LA Union Station, I booked Uber Pool for Germany Consulate. It took time to come. I waited for almost 30 minutes. I joined two more persons in the cab as it was Uber Pool. I was the third one to get down at my destination. Driver dropped those two people first at their destinations. I reached to Consulate at 11:30 a.m. It cost me $2.99. I knew I was little early as my appointment was at 1:30 p.m. Uber Pool was cheap in cost but it took time.

Experience at Germany Consulate: It was on 5th floor (Suite #500). I reached there. Security guy asked me for my appointment time. I showed him printout of acknowledgement email. He confirmed my details. He asked me if I wanted to attend interview right away. I was surprised. I said yes. He asked me to go to a counter. There was not a single person. I was the only one.

I went to counter and sat there. Few minutes later one guy joined me on other side of window. He asked me for my documents. I shared all my documents. 

• Original Offer letter of my employer (signed) and one copy (he kept copy and returned original)
• LCA one copy (he returned)
• Paychecks of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he kept)
• Bank account statements of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he kept)
• Credit card statements of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he returned)
• I-94 one copy (he kept)
• Passport and one copy of data page (he kept)
• One copy of USA visa stamped page (he kept)
• Driving license one copy (for address proof) (he kept)
• Completed Schengen Visa application form (he kept)
• One recent passport size photo (he kept)
• Flight details and full itinerary one copy (it must have your name) (he kept)
• Confirmed hotel details one copy (it must have your name, hotel name, hotel address, hotel phone, confirmation number) (he kept)
• I-797 original and one copy (he kept copy and returned original)
• Travel health insurance one copy (he kept)
• Printout of email as confirmation of my leaves from 28 Dec 2016 to 10 Jan 2017 (he kept)
• Courier document (signed) if you want to get your passport delivered to your home by courier. (he kept)

Check the official link: http://www.germany.info/contentblob/4574116/Daten/5678095/SchengenTourist.pdf

Interview:

• He: You want your passport to be delivered by courier? 
• I: Yes
• He: It will cost you $20 extra?
• I: Ok, no problem.
• He: The purpose of your travel?
• I: Tourism
• He: Do you need multiple entry?
• I: Yes
• He: For how long you are going?
• I: 13 days
• He: What is your travel plan? 
• I: I explained my plan in detail.
• He: Where do you live? 
• I: Tustin, California
• He: Where do you work? 
• I: I told my employer name
• He: Is it tentative plan or final? 
• I: Final
• He: When will you return in USA? 
• I: 10th Jan
• He: I need Employee Letter where it is? I need to confirm that you are still working for your employer and going on vacation?
• I:  I have printout of email as confirmation, it's there in bundle I gave. 
• He: I have checked that. It'll not work. I need on company's letter head this content. Also, original one ...no printout ...no scanned.
• I: What if I can email you that document because I don't have now.
• He: I need original hard copy, you understanding what I am trying to say.
• I: Ok, may be tomorrow I can bring if needed.
• He: Hmm, let me see if I can manage with your existing documents. But, I am not sure...you'll get visa. Let me try.

Then he asked me to do payment $87. $67 was visa fees and $20 for courier. I pulled out my debit card from my wallet. He said that he needed cash. I checked my wallet. I was sort of cash. I asked him if there is any ATM near by. He said, there are two: Chase and Wells Fargo. I went and got cash from ATM. While returning to the consulate I called my manager and asked for Employee Letter on company's letter head. I requested him to put my employee id, leave dates and joining date after leaves in that document. Also, requested him to put his name, designation, location, phone, email and signature. I went to counter and did payment. I told him that I'll get document in email so I'll email you now. This is what I can do. If you needed original then I can bring tomorrow here. He was very helpful. He gave me his visiting card. In 5 minutes, I received Employee Letter in my email on my phone with all details. I emailed him that document and he acknowledged 'Thank you.'

• He: Don't worry, I have got all required documents.
• I: By when I can expect my passport?
• He: Most probably by coming Monday (Dec 19)
• I: Thank you

Post Interview: I came down and booked Uber Pool for LA Union Station. It again cost me $2.99 and I reached to LA Union Station at 1:05 p.m. The first train #684 from LA Union Station to Tustin was at 2:11 p.m. It's Tustin reaching time was 3:12 p.m. So I had lunch there. I thought of joining office.

Train started on time. Then, it stopped at Norwalk/ Santa Fe Springs station for almost 1 hour because of some problem. Announcement happened that one train is coming on other platform. All passengers had to get on that train. But, it took time and I reached home at 4:45 p.m. Then, I dropped plan to go office.

On Saturday (Dec 17, 2016) morning 10 a.m., FedEx delivery boy came to deliver my passport. Yes, it was stamped (Type of Visa: C, Number of Entries: MULT, Duration of Stay: 30 days).